Best Fridges for Keeping outside the House

Is it ok to put a fridge outside? This is probably one of the most frequently asked questions by people looking to buy a fridge for their gazebo, outside garage, or in their patio bar. Yes, it is possible to keep a fridge outside. However, you need to ensure you invest in the right fridge for it to work at its best.

Generally, kitchen fridges cannot function at their optimal best when placed outside the house. This is because the temperature conditions in your house are different from temperature ranges in the outdoors. Therefore, the right fridge should have the capacity to adjust to change in weather, often associated with a change in temperature.

FRIGIDAIRE FFTR1821TS 30 Inch Freestanding Top Freezer Refrigerator 

This is a free-standing refrigerator by Frigidaire comes with an above-average capacity of 18 cu. ft. that makes it possible to install it from the packaging to the garage with minimal stress and no requirement for adaptations. This is a highly recommended refrigerator for your garage made with a built that can fit in small spaces thanks to its 66inches in height, 30W x 32 D, and 205 pounds.

That is not all. This refrigerator features four adjustable pullout shelves split to create enough space for different container sizes, drinks and foods. There are also crisper bins at the bottom of the refrigerator and a meat/deli bean on the upper part that can keep your cold foods at 32degrees.

The lower side of this fridge can be reversed, and it comes with an interior space that has storage made up of 4-tray columns that have the depth to accommodate 2-litre bottles. You will also find a self-contained butter/margarine container that comes with a cover located above the storage space. You can also use the two long storage spaces on the freezer door to freeze your juices or other narrow frozen foods.

The best part is that this is an energy-efficient refrigerator with an annual consumption of $43, which is the average local utility range in local areas. There is nothing not to love about this refrigerator.

Danby DAR044A5BSLDD Compact Refrigerator

Even though the Dandy compact refrigerator comes in a small and compact size compared to the other options in this list, it is a perfect garage fridge that can be used for easy access to drinks, snacks, and foods.

It comes in a stainless steel exterior surface and door with a 4.4 cubic ft. capacity with a 120V power outlet. It measures 75 pounds in 21.1 x 20.7 x 33.1 inches. The inside of this compact garage refrigerator comes with three adjustable and highly durable shelves in different widths and a pullout bottom drawer for fresh produce.

The top shelve level is made up of a temperature control unit that can be used to attain the perfect temperature control for cooling.

The interior of the side door comes with three integrated curved shelves and extra space on the side for canned drinks. It has an extended bottom shelf that can hold larger bottles and containers, while the two extra shelves can be used to store eggs, large bottles, and food containers.

The best part about the Danby garage refrigerator is that it is energy-star compliant, saving you up to $32 in utility costs annually. Even though it is small, this refrigerator has the capacity to carry a large number of beverage containers, making it perfect for one-car garages and small spaces.

Frigidaire FFRU17B2QW 34″ freezerless Refrigerator 

As its name gives away, the Frigidaire FFRU17B2QW is a garage refrigerator without a freezer. While this may be a drawback for most people, this unit comes with added benefits that are not found with the standard freezer refrigerator, making it a worthy mention in this category.

The absence of a freezer means that this refrigerator comes with extra space for refrigerated foods and other items you do not want to be frozen. It includes five shelves, of which four are adjustable, as well as five full-width door racks for jars, bottles, and other small containers. This is the perfect garage refrigerator for households that need extra refrigerating space for leftover foods.

With the absence of a freezer, this Frigidaire comes with a freeze control feature that makes the fridge garage friendly. With this feature, it is possible to maintain the perfect temperature even in seasons when it is as high as 110°F (43°C) or as low as 10°F (-12°C).

Key differences between indoor and outdoor refrigerators

While the working mechanism is the same for indoor and outdoor fridges, the difference in temperature in the two environments requires the fridges to use different cooling systems.

In an average household, the temperature ranges between 55F and 80F (13 TO 27C). When you place an indoor refrigerator in an outside environment, it stops being effective since the temperatures are different in the new environment. When the temperature goes below freezing point outside, the fridge will malfunction or seize.

Outdoor refrigerators are also made of durable material that withstands the harsh conditions of outdoor use, and this is what makes them more costly than indoor fridges.

How to keep a refrigerator outside safely

Even after investing in the best refrigerator for the outdoors, there are still measures you can take to ensure it is always at its best functionality.

Add insulation

By enhancing the insulation in the refrigerator, you reduce the workload on the cooling system when trying to keep the interior at optimal cooling temperature. For added insulation, you can build a well-ventilated but insulated space for the fridge in your outdoor space.

Do not place the fridge under direct sunlight

If your porch is covered or the patio is screened, you only need to ensure the fridge spot is not directly under the sunny spot. It needs to be in a cool area as placing it under direct sunlight overloads the compressor as it tries to balance the temperatures.

Protect your fridge from harsh weather elements

When outside, the fridge is susceptible to changing weather, from the day’s heat to cold or rainy nights. You need to ensure your fridge is not directly exposed to rain or snow. This can cause rusting, which will damage the internal components. If you have a [problem with water drainage, ensure your outdoor refrigerator is placed on a raised surface to keep it off the wet ground.

Conclusion

Outdoor refrigerators come protected from the elements, making it possible for them to adjust to changing temperatures. They are created with wider ambient temperature ranges, ensuring they can still perform at their best even in extreme conditions. Choose any of the three options in this article for longevity and convenience.